Netizens Accuse Roy Kim’s “Bom Bom Bom” of Plagiarism Once Again

On July 15, a certain post was spread throughout the Web that contained accusations of Roy Kim plagiarizing indie band Acoustic Rain‘s “Love Is Canon,” especially the ukulele version.

Acoustic Rain uploaded “Love Is Canon” on its YouTube channel last October. Roy Kim’s “Bom Bom Bom” was released on April 22 of this year and the ukulele version of “Love Is Canon” was released in May of this year.

“Bom Bom Bom” was co-written by Roy Kim and Bae Young Kyung. On July 16, Star News was able to speak with Bae Young Kyung’s sources, who firmly denied the plagiarism accusations.

They said, “‘Bom Bom Bom’ was completed by Roy Kim and Bae Young Kyung this past February on their own,” and “They have not heard the song that is being used to accuse them of plagiarism.”

According to the source, Roy Kim and Bae Young Kyung met seven years ago at a guitar school. The two shared a deep love for Yoo Jae Ha and Kim Kwang Suk’s music, which helped them start their close friendship.

The source continued, “Mr. Bae sent Roy Kim some chords to see what he thought and Roy came up with the melody and lyrics,” and “Roy Kim has always loved country style music and he deeply respects Kim Kwang Suk, which is how he got the inspiration to write the chords and melody.”

The source also added, “Using chords that follow ‘Canon’ has happened but they have definitely never heard of ‘Love Is Canon.'”

Acoustic Rain – “Love Is Canon” Ukulele Version

Roy Kim – “Bom Bom Bom”

After receiving sudden interest, Acoustic Rain posted on his blog, “Hello, this is Acoustic Rain from the Roy Kim plagiarism incident.”

He continued, “I’m not posting this to say whether or not it is plagiarism,” and “I’m posting this for the artists who only promote through digital singles and exist only through search engines like myself.”

Acoustic Rain continued, “I really hope you will make your own YouTube ID and post your songs on your channel,” and “For me, a song I posted a year ago on YouTube is receiving attention right now so I am suggesting this to all the unknown artists out there right now.”

Lastly, Acoustic Rain mentioned Roy Kim by saying, “I have no hard feelings for Roy Kim and I hope he will succeed even more.”

Meanwhile, Roy Kim is receiving a lot of negative input on this issue. A “RoJinYo” cafe has even been created to demand the truth from Roy Kim on this matter.

Roy Kim was also frowned upon for copying Busker Busker’s Jang Bum Joon and making a certain comment about it during his concert on July 13.

Jang Bum Joon sang a self-composed celebratory song for a wedding in the past, incorporating the “Wedding March” melody in the middle of the song. Roy Kim also took that idea and used it in his own self-composed and written song.

Before performing his song, Roy Kim stated, “After hearing Jang Bum Joon singing a wedding song, I got an idea and wrote my own song,” and “I wrote this song but if many of you feel uncomfortable, I will make a reference to Jang Bum Joon whenever I sing this song.”

Roy Kim’s agency has released a statement. CJ E&M stated, “Everyone who particpated in the composition and arrangement of “Bom Bom Bom” has never heard of Acoustic Rain’s ‘Love is Canon’ and before the controversy came up, they never even heard of the singer and his songs.”

It further stated, “The song in question, ‘Love is Canon,’ ukulele version was registered on May 15, 2013 according to our official inquiry with the Korea Music Copyright Association, which is after Roy Kim’s “Bom Bom Bom” registration date of April 22. Roy Kim’s “Bom Bom Bom” is unrelated to the controversy involving the above song’s plagarism.”

In regards to the criticicism that “Bom Bom Bom” is similar to the original version of “Love is Canon,” which was copyrighted in March 2012, CJ E&M stated, “After reveiwing experts’ opinions, it was judged that the song was not plagarized.”